Container



y 1931. F. c. TRUESBURY 1,806,320

CONTAINER Filed July 23, 1928 Patented May 19, 1931 UNITED STATES Par na T 1 car es RED 0. 01' 30031031), ILIIIIIOIB ASSIGNbB TO J. I. CLARK minus-am IN G (3)., 01' ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, A. OOIBPORATIOH 01' 1111413015 commas. I Application fled m, 2:, me. man Io. 204,729.

This invention relates to improvements in containers for powdered and granular materials such as condiments, and more particularly to a means for regulating the quantity of material which" may be withdrawn from such a container. I

' One object of the invention is to provide a new and improved outlet valve structure for condiment cans and the like by which '0 difi'erent and accurately measured quantlties of the powdered contents may be withdrawn from the can by the use of a spoon pressed against edges of difi'erent curvatures at the mouth of the container.

More specifically stated the invention resides in the novel shape and arrangement of cooperating openings in the end wall and cover movably mounted thereon, which arrangement enables level and heaping spoon- 20 fuls of the container contents to be withdrawn and the container to be efiectually and conveniently closed by turning said cover through a partial revolution.

Another object relates to the location of A 25 the defining edges of the container mouth so that a mouth of the proper size and shape results for enabling measured spoonfuls ofthe material to be withdrawn as above set forth from small round containers having rotata- 9 ble closure members in direct sliding contact with their end walls.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken-in connection with the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a container embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the end closure wall of the container.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2..

Fig. 4 is an end view of the container showmg a spoon in section to illustrate the manner in which a level spoonful of material may be withdrawn from the container.

Fig. 5 is a similar view illustrating how a'heaping spoonful of the material may be 5 withdrawn.

in place by a flange 14 engaging a peripheral While the container illustrated in the drawlngs embodies the preferred form of the nvention, it is to be understood that I do not intend to be limited by the particular form ,d1sc1osed,'but aim to,oover all modifications and alternative constructions falllng w1thin the s irit and Scope .of theinvem .tlon as ex res in the appended claims. I In the awings, the invention isembodied m a container construction having a tubular body 6 of cylindrical form closed at one end by a flat wall 7 and at the other end by the curved top wall 8. In the present instance the wall 8 is formed with a peripheral flange 9, which is snugly received upon and per- .manently secured to the end of the body 6 above an annular bead.

Punched or otherwise suitably formed in the end wall 8, is an elongated crescentshaped orifice 10 extending circumferentially around the wall 8 and being of sufiicient size as to allow for the convenient entry and withdrawal of a spoon of predetermined size, such as the average tea oon. The orifice 10 is dis osed eccentrica y of the container axis an is defined by two intersecting ed es 11 and 12 of predetermined contour spac from the side walls of the body 6 and both disposed to one side of the longitudinal axis of the container. The inner edge 11, which is disposed nearer the axis of the body 6, is made substantially straight in the present instance for the purpose of orming a level spoonful of the -material when the spoon is withdrawn from the container. While the other edge 12 follows generally the peripheral contour of the body 6 and is disposed adjacent such periphcry, its exact curvature is preferably such that a so-called heaping spoonful of the contents may be withdrawn from the container by a' spoon of predetermined size.

The container is closed by a cover 13 of the same' contour as the end wall 8 is fitted onto said wall in telescoping relation, being held shoulder 15 of the flange 9. Thus, the cover is permitted to turn freely about the con tainer axis. The curved end portion of the 'covernis cloned except for an orifice 16 which conforms both in shape and radial, positinn 10o I to orifice 10, so that the orifice can be com letely exposed by rotating the cover 13 until the two orifices are in register. An opening of any smaller size may be formed by varying the angular relation of the cover 13 on the body of the container. To completely' close the container the cover 13 is turned until its orifice 16 is positioned diametrically opposite the orifice 10 as shown in Fig. 2.- y

It will be apparent that the container mouth, which is defined by the openings in the wall 8 and cover 13 when the openings are in register, must be relatively large in order to admit a spoon, and the width should be somewhat greater than thickness of the bowl of the spoon. The present arrangement of the openings in the cover and wall 8 permits the use of a cover rotatable about the container axis in contact with the end wall 8. This is because the mouth of container formed by bringing the two openings into register is disposed wholly to one side of the center of the end wall. Thus, by turning the cover through a partial revolution, the opening in the wall 8 may be completely closed.

The arrangement disclosed is further advantageous in that it permits the invention to be applied to containers of small diameter. This is because the concave edge of the container mouth extends along the periphery of the end wall which is of similar curvature. The available space between the center of the wall 8 and the edge thereof is thereby conserved enabling the invention to be applied in smaller containers than would otherwise be possible.

To measure out a level spoonful of the contents of the container, the cover 13 is turned until the two orifices are brought into register as shown in Fig. 4;to enable a spoon 17 to be inserted into the body and filled with the contents of the container. Then with the container tilted to position the straight edge 11 uppermost, as shown in Fig. 4, the spoon ladened with the powdered contents is withdrawn, during which its edges 18 are pressed upwardly against the edge 11 which serves to level ofl the contents of the spoon throughout its entire length, thereby accurately measur-.

ing out a level spoonful. The portions-0t the powder thus wiped ofi' the spoon remain within the container.

To measure out a so-called heaping spoonful, the same procedure is repeated with the container in inverted position from that shown in Fig. 4, that is with the curved edge 12 of the orifice 10 positioned above the edge 11 as shown in Fig. 5. Upon withdrawal of the spoon, the contents are leveled ofi to conform to the curvature of the edge 12 which, when intersectingwith the edges 18 of the spoon, leaves the proper quantity of material on the spoon.

wall and also having an openin therein large enough to receive a spoon, sai opening being sha ed to form an elongated mouth correspon in in shape to the cross-section of the bowl of t e sploon when the openings are in register where y either a level or heaping spoonful of thecontents may be withdrawn.

by; the spoon, said mouth being disposed w olly to one side of the axis of said cover whereby the mouth can be completely closed by turning the cover through a partial revolution.

2. A container for permitting different measured quantities of its contents to be withdrawn by a spoon having a circular end wall and a circular cover mounted on the end wall for rotation about the center thereof and in sliding contact therewith, said wall and cover having openings therein movable in the operation of the cover into and out of registry, said openings being shaped to provide in their registering relation a mouth having an inner thin straight edge ofiset slightly from the axis of the cover and an outer thin edge of concave curvature extending along the peripheral edge of the cover adjacent thereto, and said mouth being of a size adapted to permit the bowl of a spoon to be withdrawn from the container with its side edges bearin either against said inner straight edge or sai outer curved edge according to whether a level or a heaping measure of material is to be'removed. i

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature. Y

FRED G. TRUESBURY. 

